In "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," Rooney Mara delivers a compelling performance as Lisbeth Salander, a punk computer hacker who helps journalist Mikael Blomkvist search for a woman who's been missing in Sweden for 40 years.

Rooney Mara Rooney as Lisbeth Salander, a punk computer hacker in "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo."

Salander has suffered abuse from men.

Mara turns her into a dysfunctional but brilliant investigator who spares no one.

Fury drives and empowers her.

Mara earned the nomination, but Lisbeth Salander is an unsavory character and could cost Mara the award.

Glenn Close, nominated for her performance as Albert Nobbs, could face similar challenges in the Oscar race.

Glenn Close (right) portrays a woman masquerading as a man in "Albert Nobbs."

Nobbs, a woman disguised as a man seeking a better life in male-dominated 19th century Ireland, is awkward and pathetic.

Many say Glenn Close offers the performance of a lifetime.

But she is up against formidable opponents.

Meryl Streep, for one. She offers an intimate portrait of the aging Margaret Thatcher.